Asked about the pitch possibly being a ball, Worrell snapped: "Look at it. Obviously it wasn't. That was huge."

Lewis followed by sending the next pitch right through the box and past diving shortstop Miguel Tejada. Mo Vaughn added an RBI single to make it 7-4.

"With the bases loaded it's important to go up there and be aggressive," said Lewis, who grew up an A's fan and lives in San Carlos during the offseason. "He was trying to get ahead with his fastball. He was upset with the umpire after making a tough call."

John Wasdin (6-4) retired one batter for the win, and Tom Gordon pitched the ninth for his 38th save - 34th straight - in 39 chances.

"They keep coming at you," said Oakland manager Art Howe. "They have great pitching and a great closer."

The Red Sox scored three runs in the third to take a 3-1 lead against A's starter Blake Stein, who was coming off a two-hit shutout in his previous appearance.

Jason Giambi booted Bragg's grounder, allowing Troy O'Leary to score from third with the first run. Hatteberg had an RBI single and Lewis hit a sacrifice fly.

Boston added a run in the fourth when Stein's wild pitch scored Hatteberg.